How Training for Adventure Strengthens Family Bonds | Part 2 – Hilary and Alexis’ Kilimanjaro Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 26
In Part 2, Hilary and Alexis take us through the final weeks of training, their milestone breakthroughs, and the moments on Mount Kilimanjaro that revealed not just their physical readiness — but their resilience, mindset, and bond as a mother-daughter team.We talk about how they balanced real life with peak-phase training, including graduation, a full-time job, and a family bike trip that forced them to consolidate workouts and rely on discipline rather than perfect circumstances. Hilary describes how the lunge progression and balance work finally resolved decades of knee pain from an old ACL reconstruction, giving her confidence heading into the steepest sections. Alexis explains how she made the wise decision to stop running late in training to avoid injury — and why stair training became her biggest asset.Inside the peak phase, they share:Completing their 3,000-ft and 4,000-ft milestone challenges — and the confidence those tests providedThe exhaustion, pride, and “I really did that” moments after long combined treadmill–stairs–stair-climber workoutsHow they adapted when life made consistent data tracking impossibleThe way Marcus coached them through limited time, busy schedules, and moments of self-doubtOnce on the mountain, the conversation shifts to what it felt like to truly disconnect. Alexis talks about the quiet magic of being unreachable — no phone, no news, no notifications — and how that presence reshaped the experience. Hilary shares the “calm exhilaration” of being in the moment each day, guided by a team that focused them on one day at a time.They also discuss:Snacking strategies, Scratch chews, electrolytes, and staying fueled at altitudeHow the Thomson Treks guides monitored hydration, sleep, recovery, and morale — and why “positive mental attitude” became their anchorsThe only moment Alexis felt altitude sickness: 3:30am on summit morningThe honesty, support, and partnership that helped her recover and keep movingThe episode ends with a lively lightning round: tent rituals, packing mistakes, favorite snacks, who woke up first, who took longest to get ready, summit emotions, what the stars looked like at 15,000+ feet, and what they ultimately learned about themselves — and each other.And don’t miss the very end — stay after the outro music for a fun bit of behind-the-scenes B-roll from our conversation.Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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How Training for Adventure Strengthens Family Bonds | Part 1 – Hilary and Alexis’ Kilimanjaro Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 25
When Hilary and her daughter Alexis signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, they each trained on their own schedule but stayed connected through shared goals, encouragement, and a deep commitment to see the journey through together.In this first half of their story, Hilary shares how her customized training plan—and especially the lunge progression—transformed the knee she’d struggled with since ACL surgery, leaving it stronger and more stable than it had felt in years. Alexis talks about something different but equally powerful: the gift of disconnection. High on the mountain, without her phone or constant notifications, she found a deeper presence and appreciation for the moment.You’ll hear:What inspired them to take on Kilimanjaro togetherHow they balanced life, graduation, and training from different citiesThe physical and mental breakthroughs that came from structured hiking prepWhy stepping away from screens can reconnect us to ourselves and each otherThis episode is part inspiration, part practical guide—and a reminder that when families train for something big together, the results go far beyond the mountain.Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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20 Weeks, 20 Lessons & The MT Sobek Story | Part 2 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 24
In Part 2 of this conversation, Marcus and Lisa pick up where they left off—digging into the peak phase of her 20-week training plan leading up to the Tour du Mont Blanc. They talk about how Lisa managed higher mileage and tougher elevation goals, how she kept her body feeling good and avoided overtraining as the workouts got tougher, and the mindset that carried her through the final stretch of preparation.Later in the episode, Marcus brings in Travis Wardell, Program Director for Europe at Mountain Travel Sobek—one of, if not the, world’s oldest adventure travel company. It’s Travis’s first time meeting Lisa, and he shares insights on what makes MT Sobek’s version of the TMB different from the classic route, how the company designs and curates world-class trekking experiences, and the activity level system they use to help travelers choose the right adventure for their goals and abilities.The episode wraps with a relaxed, behind-the-scenes exchange after the formal interview—a fun, unscripted glimpse of the conversation once the mics were supposed to be off.Mountain Travel Sobek - The Adventure Company | Est. 1969Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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20 Weeks, 20 Lessons to Stay Trail Fit | Part 1 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 23
I had a pretty ambitious goal going into this conversation with my client, Lisa. The idea was to cover all 20 weeks of her Tour du Mont Blanc training plan, and my hope was that each week you’d learn something you could apply to your training — or at least walk away with a little inspiration.And the good news is — it turned out great. I’d never done this format before, and it ended up becoming a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on Lisa’s base training phase — the foundation that built her strength, balance, and confidence for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Part 2 dives into her peak phase and includes a special guest from Mountain Travel Sobek, the company she traveled with.In this episode, Lisa shares lessons from the early weeks of her program — from mastering lunges and stair work to staying consistent while juggling family life and flat Michigan terrain. Whether you’re training for your first big hike or just need a dose of motivation, you’ll come away with practical tips, insights, and a few laughs from Lisa’s journey.Mountain Travel Sobek - The Adventure Company | Est. 1969Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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23 Stairs, a Treadmill & 61,350 Feet: Alicia’s Journey to Kilimanjaro | HikeStrong Podcast Ep. 22
What does it take to climb Kilimanjaro when you don’t live near mountains? And what happens when you decide to do it all over again for the Inca Trail?In this episode, I sit down with Alicia—a self-described “non-athlete” who trained on 23 stairs behind a building and a treadmill with a pack on her back to summit Kilimanjaro. She’s funny, self-deprecating, and brutally honest about what it really feels like to take on a trek of this size. Expect a few laugh-out-loud moments mixed with some hard-earned wisdom.Now she’s training with me again, this time for the Inca Trail. By Week 5 she’s already logged 67 miles and 25,623 feet of elevation gain—compared to 62 miles and 17,749 feet at the same point in her Kilimanjaro plan. Why the difference? This time, the training is packed into 8 weeks instead of 12, and with experience comes a new awareness of how to push and how to know your limits.Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | RepeatI’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.
México